Download e-book for iPad: Algebraic Semantics in Language and Philosophy by Godehard Link

The philosophical procedure of this quantity is especially structuralist, utilizing logical instruments to enquire the formal constitution of assorted sorts of items in our global, as characterized by way of language and as systematised via philosophy. This quantity quite often analyses the structural homes of collections or pluralities (with purposes to the philosophy of set theory), homogeneous items like water, and the semantics and philosophy of occasions. This ebook thereby enhances algebraic paintings that has been performed on different philosophical entities, i.e. propositions, houses, family, or events. positioned within the triangle of language, good judgment and philosophy, this quantity is exclusive in combining the assets of other ﬁelds in an interdisciplinary company. 1/2 the fourteen chapters of this quantity are unique papers, complementing the gathering of the author's formerly released essays at the topic.

Quantity is a big learn area in semantics, syntax and morphology. even though, no present idea of quantity is acceptable to all 3 fields. during this paintings, the writer argues unified thought isn't just attainable, yet important for the research of common Grammar. via insightful research of surprising info, the writer indicates that one and an identical characteristic set is implicated in semantic and morphological quantity phenomena alike, with syntax performing because the conduit among the 2.

Drawing at the conceptual equipment of cognitive grammar, this article goals to deliver order into the array of makes use of via delivering a unified semantic characterization of the dative case which subsumes either "lexically ruled" and "free" datives.

Additional resources for Algebraic Semantics in Language and Philosophy

Sample text

I think it is in the spirit of 'translational' semantics to leave such questions open - at least until a number of otherwise successful semantic theories are in. And I think it is an advantage of the translational approach that it pre­ sents meanings in a form that allows such questions to remain open. But perhaps one might want to propose the additional requirement on a semantic theory (over and above those scouted above) that, in giving us the meanings of expressions, it also tell us things like the above.

It is to credit him with knowing a re­ lation between 'chauve' and bald men ... x) There is nothing trivial stated by (7) Something satisfies 'bald' if and only if it is bald. XI) 'We can state the relation that way because the use to which we put 'bald' in stating it is the use to which we put 'bald' in our talk about the world, notably in saying, of various people, that they are bald. x) The improved perspective results simply from seeing that meaninggiving expressions can be expressions in use ...

Even if stating a truth condition might be a way of giving a meaning, the above theory hasn't yet succeeded in stating any truth condition at all. ' true. The first problem we face is: what condition do we want it to state ? ', depending on how they were to be taken. ' ? For example, one way in which the things I might have said will differ from each other is in who they are about. One condi­ tion I might have stated is that Fred Sprong 'be puce', another that Marvin Schwarcz 'be puce', another that Sam Spade 'be puce', and so on.